BROKEN BEYOND DIVIDE

The origin of BROKEN: BEYOND DIVIDE comes from a personal story that reflects a global reality. Our director, Ingrid, grew up in a home where political conversations often ended in arguments, where every news story had two versions, and where fear of the opposing perspective was a daily reality.

When her family emigrated from Venezuela to the United States, they thought they had left behind division and conflict. However, they soon realized that their new home held a different kind of war—an ideological battle that was also tearing apart families, friendships, and communities.

This documentary was born out of the need to understand why we have become so radically divided and whether it is possible to find common ground. Through real voices, expert insights, and firsthand testimonies from those experiencing this divide, Divided We Stand seeks to spark an urgent and necessary dialogue.

In an increasingly polarized world, the question of political division is no longer just an abstract concept—it’s a reality affecting relationships, communities, and societies at large. “BROKEN: BEYOND DIVIDE” seeks to highlight the personal and societal consequences of political polarization by diving into the stories of those directly impacted. By focusing on a Venezuelan-American family’s experience, the documentary explores how ideological divides can fracture even the closest of ties, leaving us questioning our collective future.

Political polarization doesn’t just exist on a grand scale—it manifests in our homes, our friendships, and our daily lives. It influences the way we vote, the news we consume, and the very way we see each other. It impacts how we engage with democracy and what it means to live in a shared society. This issue matters because it goes beyond politics—it is about our capacity to communicate, empathize, and coexist.

The rise of misinformation, the manipulation of media, and the fragmentation of the public sphere are all forces driving us apart. What once were meaningful conversations have now turned into echo chambers, reinforcing entrenched ideologies and deepening divisions. Without intervention, this growing divide threatens the very fabric of democratic societies.

“BROKEN: BEYOND DIVIDE” is an invitation to look critically at this issue, to reflect on the role we each play in contributing to or alleviating polarization, and to ask ourselves: How can we bridge the gap in a divided society? By examining the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to political division, the documentary hopes to spark dialogue, promote empathy, and ultimately inspire collective action towards a more unified future.

Generate Profound Impact

Use an intimate and representative story to explore how political polarization affects families, migration, and social cohesion. Examine the role of media in radicalizing viewpoints and promote a space for dialogue. The aim is to amplify the debate on this urgent issue through festivals, streaming platforms, and educational forums.

• Raise Awareness – Highlight the dangers of political polarization and its threat to democratic values, both in the U.S. and globally.
• Inspire Reflection – Encourage viewers to question their political assumptions and consider the long-term consequences of political division.
• Empower Civic Engagement – Motivate audiences to engage actively in protecting democracy, fostering unity, and driving social change.
• Provide Historical Context – Leverage the family’s personal experiences and Venezuela’s historical lessons to offer a unique perspective on the fragility of democracy.
• Facilitate Dialogue –Promote conversations that bridge ideological divides, fostering understanding across political viewpoints.

Spaces of Intervention

The documentary is structured into four acts, exploring the political identity of the Venezuelan diaspora in the U.S., its impact on American politics, the social and familial rupture caused by polarization, and, finally, how to rebuild dialogue.

Each expert intervention contextualizes and deepens the key themes, connecting personal experiences to a broader framework.

Advantages of These Expert Interventions:

Clear narrative structure – Each expert plays a precise role within the story.
Seven experts across four acts – Optimizing voices without oversaturating the narrative.

Balance between analysis and solutions – Not only diagnosing the problem but also offering reconciliation strategies.
Multidisciplinary perspective – Combining sociology, psychology, history, journalism, and conflict mediation for a comprehensive vision.